Anita's (Figs) Reading continues for 2022. 5th thread!

Welcome to my first ever 5th thread!

My rating system is as follows:

1 = Very Very bad. Either I could not finish the novel, or the plot was ill-conceived

2= Still bad. I managed to finish the book. It was probably boring, unoriginal or poorly written

3= Solid. There was character development, the pace was probably slow or parts of the book were well thought out. Still had the ability to make me think or at the very least want to continue reading, however, something was missing or could have been further developed. Slightly better than average.

4= Excellent read. I probably couldn't put the book down till it was finished. The Pace was spot on, complex characters, made me think in a different way and so on

5= Absolutely perfect!

Fave of the past

Unyielding Clamour of the night: Neil Bissoondath

Arun is a young teacher who has grown up in a financially stable and privileged part of his country. He accepts a job in the South, teaching underprivileged children how to read, write and count. He faces many challenges along the way. The south is in the midst of a civil war, and rebel insurgents plan random bomb attacks on innocent civilians. Arun treads a fine line between the locals and the military. He also learns more about the circumstances surrounding his father's death and the role his family played in the war.

"Young man, do you know what we are about here? We're fighting a war where no heroes are made. A war with no front lines, no trenches to conquer, no pillboxes to storm. You stare into the dark, you shoot, and you hope no one shoots back."

Winner of the 2005 Governor General's award.

Books I should have read a long time ago

I know, I know, this is still empty...perhaps I will have something for this category this month.

Books Read In January



Top 3 of the month:

Migrations
The Island of the sea women
From the Ashes

Books Read In February



Top 3 reads of the month:

A tale for the time being
Miss Benson's Beetle
All our shimmering skies

Books Read In March


Top Three ( not in order)

The Arctic Fury
Daughter Of The Moon Goddess
Library Of The Unwritten

Books Read In April



Top 3
Circe
Where The Crawdads Sing
The Kew Garden Girls

Books read in June



Best two: The Magician
Drive your plow over the bones of the dead

Books Read In July

Welcome!

Happy new thread, Anita! Looks like I am first.

>12 figsfromthistle: Hi Paul! It's always nice to see you here. Since you are first, you get some apple strudel in a warm vanilla pudding/sauce.

Happy New Thread, Anita!!

>14 figsfromthistle: You hit upon a favourite of mine, Anita! I simply love apple strudel and especially anything flavoured with vanilla.

Happy first fifth!

>15 ronincats: Thank you!

>16 PaulCranswick: Glad you are a fan. There are two versions of apple strudel ( both are delicious).

>17 drneutron: Thanks, Jim! I couldn't have gotten there without you and the rest of the gang :)

Happy new thread!

Happy first ever fifth thread, Anita!

Thanks >19 quondame: Susan and>20 FAMeulstee: Anita :)

Wordle 350 4/6

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Happy new thread, Anita. Congrats on reaching 5.

Happy new thread, Anita!

Happy new thread, Anita. You are doing great reading this year! Despite your full time work, your (probably) full-time gardening, and cooking your numbers are great!

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Anita!

Gosh, that apple strudel up there looks so good...

>23 BLBera: Thank you :)

>24 OscarHinder: Oscar is a nice name

>25 bell7: Thanks!

>26 jessibud2: Thank you! My reading is going quite well. It's a rocky start to the month though.

>27 mstrust: Thanks, Jennifer

>28 scaifea: I love apple strudel. Once in a while with the warm vanilla pudding. I also like it the original/rustic way

New-thread orisons, Anita!

>31 richardderus: Thanks, Richard!

Wordle 351 4/6

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Happy new thread, Anita!
>14 figsfromthistle: I'm already working up an appetite again...

>33 figsfromthistle: I see it was a case of right-letters-in-the-right-place for you as well!

>34 SirThomas: Hi Thomas. Thank you:)

>35 richardderus: Indeed. The third letter really narrowed it down as to what words would work.

Hi Anita. You are zipping along and reading some great books!!!!

>37 Whisper1: Hi Linda! It's nice to see you :) I have been lucky this year so far. Very few "duds"

Happy Monday!

As of today, I have a whole weeks vacation. I have so much to do but am looking forward to sleeping in a bit. Today, my natural alarm clock woke me up at 5 am. It was nice to roll over and sleep till 6 am :)

Today, the driveway guys are supposed to come. I am getting new asphalt because the old one is cracked and broken beyond repair. It is supposed to rain today and tomorrow so we shall see how much of a delay it will bring.

Household wise, I have already stripped my bed linens, rotated the mattress ( man was it heavy!), put in two loads of laundry and fed the animals.

Today I am going to have pan seared salmon, seasoned with ginger and lemon. I will probably have rice with it and a beet salad.

Wordle 352 4/6

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67.

Paula Hawkins: A Slow Fire Burning

A man is murdered on a boat, three women have motive and all are connected in complicated ways. Just who is the murderer and why was the young man murdered?

It was ok. There are multiple POV's ( not all of them reliable). It was at times a bit jumpy however, the author does a good job of trying to get the reader to go down different pathways and make different assumptions about who the murderer could be. In the end it was more obvious than I had hoped with all the smoke screens the author put up.

Perhaps it is because I am in a reading slump that I did not enjoy it as much as I normally would have.

3/5

Happy vacation!

>41 katiekrug: Thanks, Katie!

Enjoy your vacation and the delicious food, Anita - the salmon sounds very tasty.
All the best for your driveway!

>43 SirThomas: Thank you Thomas. The driveway is being ripped out and there was already a slight dispute about some concrete that was supposed to be ripped out where they claim that it was not included in the price. Luckily, I have the estimate stating what is all included :)

Have a nice vacation Anita!

>1 figsfromthistle: Looks good!

And I like the way you have set up the start of your thread, the best three of the month!

>45 EllaTim: Thanks, Ella!

My best three of the month does not always hold up. Sometimes it depends on the mood I was in while reading as well. It always astounds me that at the end of the year some of my best reads are not ones I chose as best of the month. We shall see how it holds up :)

>46 figsfromthistle: Sounds familiar. It’s interesting isn’t it?

>47 EllaTim: It is quite interesting. You would think that the best reads of the year would always be picked from best reads of the month. Sometimes certain books stick with you and sometimes I think the longer reflection time does better for appreciating some reads more than others.

I really should have done better considering the great start I had. That's what I get for trying wordle before having coffee.

Wordle 353 4/6

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Yay for a week of vacation!

We need to have our driveway repaved, too, but somehow it just never seems to get done. So many things to do...

>49 figsfromthistle: Never, ever Wordle before caffeine levels reach optimum saturation. Bitter (!) experience is the best teacher, I suppose, but *sigh*

Happy vacationing, Anita!

Hi Anita my dear, Happy New 5th Thread dear friend.

Happy new thread, Anita! Sounds like your vacation is busy already :)

>50 scaifea: I was supposed to get it done last year but the person that I chose never showed up and so I had to start the whole process over again. I was seriously debating on if I should stick with asphalt or do a washed out concrete. I stuck with the original because it can handle salt and abuse from the snow pow/snow blower. Also because the driveway would have needed 40 meters of concrete!

>51 richardderus: Hi Richard! Thanks! Lesson learned :)

>52 johnsimpson: Hi John. It is nice to see you, my friend. Hope all is well

>53 curioussquared: Thanks! The week just flies by but it's a nice change of pace.

Wordle 354 4/6

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happy new thread

>56 figsfromthistle: We got the same 4! Happy Humpday.

>57 paulstalder: Thank you, Paul.

>58 richardderus: Yay! The day certainly flew by. *smooch*

68. V. E. Schwab: The Invisible life of Addie Larue

1714, Addie makes a deal with the god of darkness to live until she decides she has lived enough. After, she is to give up her soul. Of course there is always a snag when making deals and wishes and the wording can never be perfect. Since Addie does not want to be bound to anyone ( forced marriage, limitations based on gender) the god of the night makes it so that no one can remember her or say her name. She cannot create something new. Addie learns to slightly circumnavigate these rules but it all changes when one person remembers her.

I quite enjoy Schwab's writing. So far each book has been a solid read.
This was a great story. I thought that the dynamic between Addie and Luc to be quite electric.

3.5/5

* Book was borrowed from the library*

Wordle 355 4/6

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>61 figsfromthistle: It was thanks to my standard second word MIRTH that I got it in 3. Made up for the fact that I had to clear my browser cache so my streak (53 and counting) got wiped out.

>60 figsfromthistle: I tried...really tried...no way in for me, for some reason, so DNF'd at about 15% or so.

>55 figsfromthistle:, Hi Anita my dear, we are both well after the Jubilee weekend celebrations and the week has gone well so far. We are in recovery mode as usual on a Thursday evening as we had Elliott for his weekly overnight stay yesterday and took him home this afternoon.

Karen ended up going into his bed at about 3.30am and they came back to our bed at around 6.15am this morning, Elliott is a pleasure to have each week even if we are knackered on a Thursday evening, lol.

Sweet Thursday, Figs. Happy New Thread. I am still on the fence with The Invisible life of Addie Larue...

>62 richardderus: Hi Richard! Those starting words can really make of break it.

No worries regarding The Invisible life of Addie Larue. It can't work for everyone. The timing was right for me and I was in the right mood to read it.

>63 johnsimpson: Hi John! I am glad that you and Karen are enjoying your time with Elliott. They do grow up so fast so enjoy every moment.

>64 msf59: Hi Mark! Thanks. For me the part that was boring was where Addie begins to date Henry. It was not perfect but it was a nice quick read.

Happy Friday!

Well it seems that my vacation has been cut short. My vacation has been recalled and I have been requested to come back to work early. Figures it would be right before a weekend. *sigh*

Reading: I am halfway through Apollo Murders. Lately, I seem to be enjoying books about magic or space.

I finished the crispy oven roasted chicken yesterday. Not sure what I am going to make today. Perhaps just something easy ( I'm thinking pizza). I will probably be too grouchy to cook today.

Wordle 356 4/6

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Have a wonderful weekend in spite of everything, Anita.
Don't let it spoil your appetite, that would be a real pity....

>66 figsfromthistle: - That's awful! How can they do that? What if you had gone away and were out of town and the return would involve the expense of changing tickets and reservations? Would work have covered those costs? That just seems not only unfair but unreasonable!

Boo to a vacation cut short.

>66 figsfromthistle: Waitwaitwait...what?! what >68 jessibud2: and >69 weird_O: said!

I Wordled in 3 today because of my lovely, habitual words.

>67 SirThomas: Hi Thomas! My parents ( who live next door) invited me over for a BBQ so I did not have to cook. I think they felt bad for me :)

>68 jessibud2: It is in my contract that they can take away vacation if they are desperate. If leaving the country or taking longer "trips" I would have to notify them before they approve vacation. They also have to give me 24 hour notice to come in as well. Does not leave for a lot of spontaneous three day road trips though.

>69 weird_O: Hi Bill! Nice to see you :)

>70 richardderus: Technically I have accrued 6 weeks vacation time. These six weeks have to be taken by the end of June or you get them paid out/lose them. This was the second week that was approved. It's mildly annoying because I would rather take time off than get it paid out. After June, new vacation will start and there are new ruled being implemented that vacation granting goes by seniority so I should fare much better.

Wordle 357 4/6

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Sorry you have to return to work earlier than expected, Anita.
I hope the new vacation rules will play out in your favor.

That's crappy about work and your vacation, Anita. You seem to have such an even-keeled attitude about it, which is great. I'd be ranting and raving and throwing things :-P

Just dropping by to say "Have a wonderful weekend," Anita. Thank you for helping keep my thread warm while I was gone.

>74 ZacTench: Interesting spelling of Zac.

>75 katiekrug: Hi Katie! Thank you :) Today I did feel like throwing something at an annoying, incompetent co worker of mine. I counted to 1000 and it was all good ;)

>76 alcottacre: Nice to see you :) Hope your weekend is going well.

>73 FAMeulstee: Hi Anita! didn't see you up there. It appears that the new rules will work out quite well for me when they are in place.

Saturday *smooch*

>79 richardderus: Hi Richard! Hope your weekend is going well! *smooch*

>80 figsfromthistle: It's been an annoying pigpen of plans that refuse to get up out of the mud and thus get trampled into unspeakably stinky muck. (A review I wanted to write to segue between two weeks' themes refuses to be written, another that I slid into its place doesn't *fit* right, but it's a-gonna haveta do.)

But thanks!

>81 richardderus: Oh my, Richard! I am sure that the review that refuses to be written will release it's claws soon and allow itself to be masterfully written :)

69. Chris Hadfield: The Apollo Murders

The U.S.A is on it's last mission to the moon. The crew all have a military background because their sole purpose is not just to collect rocks and regolith but to destroy a Russian space station that will threaten the privacy and security of all US citizens. Of course with such high stakes murder and mayhem is bound to happen.

I enjoyed it but not as much as I thought I would. Sometimes it felt that the dialogue between crew mates was a little rigid/awkward and relied on stereotypes. I enjoyed the technical details.

3.3/5

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>84 figsfromthistle: That was my Wordle as well. *grumble*

>83 figsfromthistle: I feel about that book as Dr Johnson did about the dog walking on his hind legs: the wonder is that it is done at all.

>85 richardderus: Hi Richard! It seems that lately, all I do is get wordle in four tries. My average used to be three. *sigh*

>66 figsfromthistle: Hmmm, I can understand if someone's life might be at risk if they were short staffed, but not otherwise. I have forgotten what your job is Anita, but I don't remember you being a surgeon!

>87 Caroline_McElwee: Although I am not a surgeon, lives are at risk ( but not in such a dramatic/obvious way) with my job and especially when short staffed. I have three separate roles at the hospital. At times it can be very stressful but I enjoy it.

Wordle 359 3/6

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Happy Tuesday!

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70. Colm Toibin: The Magician

This is a fictional biography of Thomas Mann and his family. I knew very little before reading this and feel that I have come away with a solid understanding of certain critical points of his life. The way he and his wife communicated was a little strange to me. They were not a "talkative" or animated couple.

3.5/5

>90 figsfromthistle: I've been wondering about this one, Anita. I'm not a Mann fan, but I do love Toíbin...

Hi Anita, and a belated happy new thread, and first-ever 5th thread. Well done.

From your last thread, I liked your May stats – especially that you only bought 2 books. *smile*

>2 figsfromthistle: You’re getting close to your goal, not such a turtle this year.

>60 figsfromthistle: I liked this one more than you did, giving it 4.5 stars. It’s the only one by Schwab I’ve read so far. What else have you read by her?

>66 figsfromthistle: I’m so sorry you were requested to come back early, and I’m sorry your contract allows them to do that.

>71 figsfromthistle: Six weeks. Wow. I never, ever, had that much accrued vacation time. I was extremely happy with the 22 days per year I had by the time I retired from my last job.

>89 figsfromthistle: I got it in two, too! Happy Tuesday, Anita.

>91 BLBera: Hmmm. If you are not a Mann fan then I am not sure it you will enjoy it. It has a lot of very accurate details of his life however, I did enjoy the authors writing and the fact that he depicted the Mann's with all their virtues and faults. I will definitely be reading more of Toibin's work.

>92 karenmarie: Hi Karen! Thanks! As to the question about Schwab, I have read the first two books in the shade of magic series. I quite enjoyed them as well and will read the third soon. It is quite different from The invisible life though.

>93 richardderus: Oh! Well done, Richard!

Wordle 361 3/6

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Crane, Primp, Primo

>91 BLBera:, >94 figsfromthistle: I wouldn't call myself a Mann fan either but I did enjoy The Magician. It's just a good story.

>88 figsfromthistle: Aha, I think I missed that you worked at a hospital at all Anita, hence my comment may have seemed unintentionally flippant. As I temped in administration in a hospital many years ago, I know how valuable every role is.

Happy Wednesday, Anita. I loved The Magician. A top read for me last year.

>96 RebaRelishesReading: It was a good story.

>97 Caroline_McElwee: HA no worries. I didn't take it as flippant. All good :)

>98 msf59: Hi Mark! I did enjoy the read. It was a book that you cannot force the pace along by reading faster. Toibin has a way of forcing you to be patient :)

Happy Thursday!

It has been a hot an humid few days here. I managed to accomplish very little at home in the garden.

I rolled driveway sealer on the old parts but I can still tell the difference between the new and the old. It does look nicer. I didn't realize that I would need 4 pails. The square footage they advertise on the pail is no where near accurate.

I started collecting LDD caterpillars. Last year they completely defoliated all my maple trees and ruined/killed a whole row of mature pine/bruce trees . I will have to cut them down next year and plant a new row. I was hoping that they would have recovered from the damage *sigh* Last year I collected thousands of mature caterpillars, set up moth traps and went around to collect eggs and applied a special spray to the trees. I think it helped a lot to keep this years invasion smaller. I spend a good amount of time collecting from the burlap wraps.

I ended up getting a kitten ( 10 weeks old). My older cat was not happy at first but now they seem to get along. I still have not come up with a name for her yet.

For dinner today, I will throw on a marinated pork chop on the BBQ have a spring mix salad ( from the garden) and make some seasoned potato wedges. With such hot weather, I want to limit my indoor cooking as much as possible.

Wordle 362 3/6

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Hi Anita, Yum, I want to come for dinner at your house!

Hi Mary!

You are welcome anytime :)

A kitten! How exciting. Was it a spur of the moment decision?

I'm sure dinner was as scrummy as you made it sound...and yay for 3!

>103 curioussquared: No. I wanted to get a kitten to keep my other one company for when I am not home. My older cat ( I am not sure how old as she was a stray) is quite attached to me so I thought this would break up her routine. I still have to make sure to give Susie Q attention first and give her food first as well but they are getting along nicely. I was hesitant because I never had two cats at the same time....

>104 richardderus: It was! Thanks, Richard

Congrats on the new kitty? From a shelter? I always have 2 cats together. Great for companionship. My first 2 were littermates but that next 2 were unrelated and my current 2 are unrelated. I always bring them home from the shelter at the same time, though, to avoid territorial stuff. Amazing and wonderful that your 2 are already getting along. My last 2 were like that. Only the current 2 have taken a long time but they are better now, more or less. Please post pics when you can!

The heat and humidity today was icky but the skies opened up here this afternoon and we got a mighty dump! Couldn't even see out the windows it was coming down that heavily! All over in around 20 minutes and now I won't have to water outside tomorrow! And the humidity is gone, thank goodness.

All the best to you and your new roommate, Anita.
I wish you a wonderful weekend.

>106 jessibud2: No, my kitty did not come from a shelter. A person in the country who has 15 or more kittens needed to find homes for some. Soon I will bring her to the vet to get checked out, get shots and of course she will beed to be fixed.

We had no rain ( except for 10 min of barely a drizzle). I had to water the gardens. I am glad that you received some rain and relief from the heat. Today we are supposed to have milder weather so I will open the windows to get so fresh air in.

>107 SirThomas: Hi Thomas! Thanks. I hope you have a great weekend as well.

Ooo a kitty. Years since I had one.

I decided to use a way different starting word. Not a good idea. Phase, Trick, Down, Blown
Wordle 363 4/6

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>109 Caroline_McElwee: It's been a while since I have had a kitty as well. Most of the cats I have had are strays. Since I live in the country people think it's ok to drop their pets of in the middle off nowhere with no way to know how to fend for themselves. If I ever catch one of these people.......

Have a great weekend!

Have a nice weekend Anita. What fun to have a new kitten. What colour is it?

>112 EllaTim: Hi Ella! She has a bit of everything and looks like a short haired tabby cat.

Wordle 364 4/6

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Crane, claws, cocoa,cacao It really counts as three tries for me because my last two guesses are really almost the same ;)

>113 figsfromthistle: Tabby cats are nice.
>114 figsfromthistle: Well done!

>114 figsfromthistle: That's a mulligan used....

*smooch*

>115 EllaTim: Hi Ella! I have been trying to get a photo of her but she won't stay still long enough ;)

>116 richardderus: Ha! Yes!

Weekend *smooches*

71. Clayton Thomas-Muller: Life in the city of dirty water

I read this because it was on the Canada reads list and there was a lot of talk about this one. Perhaps it was not the right time for me to read this type of memoir but it just was not for me. Incredible life and story but the writing was jumpy. Also, lots of sensory/emotional overload. In the first two pages, Clayton is abused by a man and a woman and watches his mother get beaten and gets into a fight with a elementary school kid. Perhaps he felt the need to cram everything in because the memoir is quite short.

Proceed with caution

Happy Father's day to any fathers out there!

Today after work, my parents are coming over. I have bought some filet mignon's/beef tenderloin and will ask the guest of honour if he would prefer them on the BBQ or pan seared with a bordelaise sauce. I have some fresh mushrooms and onions to go with it, grilled corn, mini potatoes and a spring mix salad. I also made a strawberry pastry dessert with a vanilla pudding from the fresh fruit in our garden.

I decided to make a nice meal like this because my dad told me many times to not buy a present and was quite adamant about it. so I found a way around it ;)

Wordle 365 3/6

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>119 figsfromthistle: Oh YUM, that sounds amazing! My dad doesn't want gifts to open and he's asked for money for years - but then he'll save it up to go to a Paul McCartney concert or a sports game or buy himself something he doesn't use regular budget money for, so at least I know he uses it to do something he enjoys.

>119 figsfromthistle: I totally get it, your father's desire NOT to get gifts. Unless I need something, I'm past the time in life when *stuff* adds to my pleasure in living. A beautiful dinner, OTOH, is a tremendous gift of time, thought, and love.

I Wordled in three, too!

Sunday *smooch*

>120 bell7: Oh that sounds like a wonderful arrangement. Glad he is able to use the money for something he really enjoys and have lasting memories.

>121 richardderus: Hi Richard! You are totally correct about the *stuff* part. I think it's important to create memories, and show those we love how much we care about them and appreciate them in our lives. The dinner was a hit. Good food, great wine and a lot of laughter.

Have a great start to the week.

>119 figsfromthistle: Enjoying the memories with a special meal is a great way to celebrate.

>123 thornton37814: It is!

Have a great Monday :)

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Your meal sound amazing!

My dad is hard to buy for, too, and always claims he doesn't want anything. Sometimes I just want to tell him to keep quiet and accept the gift! Ha!

>125 figsfromthistle: Oh nice! I got it in 3, but was really stumped between guesses 2 and 3.

>125 figsfromthistle: Same results today! Great minds, etc

>126 scaifea: I hear you! My dad used to not take gifts for any occasion when I was younger because I think he did not want me wasting my money. Now at least he accepts them for Christmas and his birthday ( as long as it's not one the top)

>127 bell7: I really had to think for the fourth guess as well.

>128 richardderus: We seem to be in sync :)

Happy newish thread, Anita. Your fathers day celebration sounds like it was a hit!

>130 Familyhistorian: It was! I had the left over mushrooms for dinner yesterday. I put them into my scrambled eggs and ate it with a spring mix salad. Sadly, no left over steak ;)

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Happy Tuesday, Anita. Just checking in. I hope your week is off to a good start.

Tuesday orisons, Anita! Excellent Wordling.

>132 msf59: Hi Mark! So far so good!

>133 richardderus: Happy Tuesday! A great wordle result for a change

I hope you have a terrific Tuesday, Anita!

>135 alcottacre: It is a really hot day but so far so good!

Wordle 368 3/6

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>137 figsfromthistle: Brava!

Have a happy Humpday experience, Anita.

>138 richardderus: We keep on getting it in the same amount of tries. Good job on your wordling as well!

72 Linwood Barclay: Take your breath away

A woman disappears while her husband is away on a fishing trip. Six years later, she is spotted around town and it has many on edge. Is Brie really alive? Or is someone playing games?

Well it was ok. I was able to figure it out early on. Motive was disappointing and I thought was slapped together with little effort/thought.

3/5 ( rounded up from 2.5) Many will enjoy this one better than I did.

Wordle 369 3/6

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I thought I would have had a better result but the last letter had a few possibilities.

>141 figsfromthistle: It's a good result, three is. I was glad that my third word got rid of the G or I'd've been down in 5 not 4.

*smooch*

I have been off the radar here, Anita. Congrats on 5 threads. I enjoy the way you present your monthly reads. It’s both visually appealing and informative with your three top books listed. I was listening to Braiding Sweetgrass in May but didn’t finish it until June because I was savoring it. Pretty certain it will make my Top Ten this year.

>90 figsfromthistle: I am a fan of the only Thomas Mann book I’ve read: Buddenbrooks. It kept me company on our trip to Germany in 2006. I’ve liked everything I’ve read by Toibin so it looks like I need to get hold of The Magician. Thank you for calling it to my attention.

Your new kitten sounds like a great idea. I hope it is settling in with your older cat and also hope it gets a name soon. ;-)

Anita, Grand daughter Kayla asked if she could have a kitty with the notation in the text message that she promises to take care of all expenses. She is only seven weeks old, very spunky, already attached to Kayla, and starting to use the kitty litter.

>142 richardderus: Hi Richard! * smooch* right back at you! I have to say that I have never bombed on wordle yet. My streak may have been erased a few times when I cleared my browser history and such but have yet to completely strike out. Here's to tomorrow ;)

>143 Donna828: It is nice to see you out and about Donna! I think you will enjoy the Magician. It's still vivid in my mind.

The kitty still does not have a name. I tried a few but she does not seem to listen to any of them...

>144 Whisper1: Aww. Kayla will surely love her :) when I was her age, my cat was by my side at all times and would walk me to the bus and wait for me when I got home. We were best buddies. Sounds like Kayla is well on her way to having a great companion.

As for the kitty litter, my older cat showed her to use it. She uses it every time. It's funny because my older cat Susie Q is not as faithful in that department ;)

Wordle 370 3/6

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Wordle 371 3/6

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Wordle 372 3/6

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I've taken 4 so many times I'm just changing my name to "4".

Happy week-ahead's reads! *smooch*

>149 richardderus: Ha! At least you are consistent :) Hope you have a great start to the week

*smooch*

Wordle 373 4/6

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I got lucky, it was a 3 day for me.

*smooch*

>152 richardderus: Oh nice! Just when you think you were stuck with the 4's you wrangle out and score a three!

Wordle 374 4/6

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Today's agenda:

Work. It's going to be a long day but at least it has cooled down a bit. Yesterday I had a day off and spent it weeding the gardens. My back and my legs hurt though.

Today's dinner will be pork meatloaf with potatoes from the garden ( roasted) and fresh beets from the garden.

I finished reading a few books. One is Drive your plow over the bones of the dead It was a good read that worked for me. I shall have to update a little later.

Have a great Tuesday!

>153 figsfromthistle: Oh nice, I took all six to finally get it today. I had a mixed reaction to Drive your plow over the bones of the dead, but I'll look forward to reading your thoughts on it!

>153 figsfromthistle: Well, back to the salt mines for me: I took 5 to get there. *sigh*

I hope your soreness lets go quickly.

>154 bell7: Hi Mary! I do enjoy Tokarczuk's writing. This one was more linear. I also think that the translator did a fantastic job!

>155 richardderus: Hi Richard! I haven't wordled yet today. Going to do that now :)

Wordle 375 4/6

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I had to think on the last line. What combinations were possible and made sense.

73. Olga Tokarczuk: Drive your plow over the bones of the dead

A older, recluse lady ( Janina) living away from the village is awoken in the middle of the night by a distant neighbour who tells her that their other neighbour is dead. They head over to prepare the body and then call the police. A series of strange events happen and there are other people who fall victim to death. Who among them could commit murder? Janina knows the answer but is not taken seriously. She proposes that the animals are the ones responsible because they are taking revenge on those who are cruel and hunt.

“Animals show the truth about a country. If people behave brutally towards animals, no form of democracy is ever going help them, in fact nothing will at all.

It brought me to a thought about my grade 6 philosophy teacher who stated that as long as humans kill and are cruel to animals, there will always be violence in their minds, heart and body.

I found that Janina and her posse had some funny moments. Her extensive quotes from Blakes work made me put his poetry on my list to read.

Many different aspects to this book. It's up to the individual reader what they take from it. For me, it did not read as a thriller or much of a mystery.

3.5/5 Recommended.

Wordle 376 4/6

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I really should have done better but of course I did not pay attention to the yellow letter T and forgot to include it on the third guess. Ah well.

Happy Thursdaying!

>159 figsfromthistle: - Took me all 6 tries today, Anita, so 4 looks pretty good :D

>159 figsfromthistle: I think today's word was calculated to be irritating!

>158 figsfromthistle: I Pearl-Ruled that one a while back and never got the urge to revisit that decision.

*smooch* Getting awfully close the Magic Integer!

>160 katiekrug: Hi Katie! Happy Friday!

>162 figsfromthistle: I am getting close. I should have blown past the number this month but my reading has declined a lot. I did finish a book yesterday though.

Happy Friday!

It's a holiday here ( I still have to go to work though). I plan on going with a few friends out for dinner. I probably won't stay for the fireworks but it all depends on how long we stay in the downtown core. Theres a night market on with a lot of vendors including crafts. Of course there are local beer and wine booths as well ;)

Wordle 377 2/6

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Finished reading Bluebird yesterday which brings the total books read in June to a dismal 8.

>163 figsfromthistle: - Did you like Bluebird, Anita? I have it but have not yet got to it. I do like Graham as an author; I've read a couple by her.

>164 jessibud2: Hi Shelley! Happy Canada weekend :)

I enjoyed Bluebird. Since you have read a couple by her, I think you will enjoy the book. One thing that I enjoy about her writing it that the description and dialogue is quite natural.

Wordle 378 5/6

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Wordle this week seems quite hard. This one almost had me.

Hi Anita.

>100 figsfromthistle: Yay for a new kitten. It’s always stressful bringing a new animal into the house, and I’m glad to read they are now getting along. We’re the same way with cat names – they’re too important to just give one arbitrarily. We got 2 cats in December 2019 – a mother and son from the shelter, which the shelter said were a package deal. I was going to get two cats regardless, so that worked out. Our senior kitty is still not thrilled with them, but she’s settled into a routine of mostly ignoring them with the occasional territory grab or hissing. It took the three of us 3-4 days and some hurt feelings to come up with perfect names, but it was worth the effort. Does the kitten have a name yet? If you mentioned it, I missed it.

>111 figsfromthistle: We acquired a 2-3 year old cat who either got lost or abandoned in an ice storm in 2002. Kitty William became a cherished member of the family and lived to be 19.

>140 figsfromthistle: I read Barclay’s A Tap on the Window this year and loved it. I’m sorry this one was only a 2.5 read for you, even as you rounded it up to 3.

>154 bell7: and >158 figsfromthistle: I’ve got Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead on my shelves… sigh. Need to get to it this year.

Morning, Anita! Are you having to work this weekend? I hope not :)

I Wordled in 5 today...

Congrats on the fifth thread! I will be keeping track as we share lots of books according to LT.

>153 figsfromthistle: Garden fresh produce is always wonderful. We are eating bok choi right now, and I am ready for tomatoes and peppers. Gardening is a real joy but my muscles do a get a bit cranky.

>165 figsfromthistle: Wordle took me six, too, today.

>165 figsfromthistle: - Happy Canada Day to you too. Glad Ottawa didn't turn into the nightmare we anticipated because of those deranged *freedom* jerks. Still protesting mandates that have long been lifted. If you ask me, they just want an excuse to cause trouble. I guess idiots are everywhere....

I like that Graham does her homework and also that she highlights Canadian history.

>169 jessibud2: I have a very different point of view. I think James Topp is a hero and those who are supporting hm by being present in Ottawa are expressing an important point of view. i am a person continuing to be affected by these restrictive mandates due to a medical condition and this lack of understanding and sensitivity is instructive to the character of people who are expressing that anyone who would object to continuing mandates (and there are several) is either an idiot or trouble maker. The "anticipated' nightmare was in the eyes of the CBC only!

Hope Anita that you had a good Canada Day. It was glorious weather here on the west coast!

I flurbled today so it took me 4 to get the word. *sigh*

Anyway, hoping it's a more satisfactory reading month this July. I'm ratcheting back myownself.

>166 karenmarie: Hi Karen!

My kitten does have a name. The only one she responds to is Sputnik. It was not my first choice but it suits her :)

I did enjoy Barclay's other books better ( this year I also read elevator pitch). I think I just was overly amped up about the new release and ended up having too high expectations.

I hope you have a wonderful July 4th weekend!

>167 katiekrug: Hi Katie! Yes it's a working weekend for me. I have not had a weekend off in ages and it looks like it will be end of July until I have one off. I will have to put in a LOA or something to ensure I get it off.

Yay! We can be part of the 5er's club. Hopefully today's wordle goes better. Happy July 4th weekend!

>168 witchyrichy: Thank you! It's nice to see you here.

Gardening can be wonderful and rewarding. I do enjoy fresh produce. Does bok choi grow like lettuce? Or does it need really warm temperatures to grow?

>169 jessibud2: I quite enjoyed the letters across the sea as well.

>170 mdoris: Hi Mary! Glad you had nice weather. I am glad I was able to enjoy some of Canada day after work. Perfect weather as well.

>171 richardderus: Hi Richard! Heres to a great reading month :)

Wordle 379 4/6

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Sputnik. I like it, but the main thing is that she seems to like it. Happy belated Canada Day. Our big day in the U.S. is tomorrow but people have been shooting off fireworks for a few days now. 💥

>173 figsfromthistle: Bok choi grows up around a center with long leaves like romaine lettuce but is more of a cluster than a head. I often just harvest outer leaves. And, I think they prefer cooler weather than we have here in southeastern Virginia. With my free time, I am looking forward to doing more with our unheated green house this fall/winter and I think it will like the cooler days. (I went to look for some information and discovered the rest of the world spells it Bok choY ;-)

>172 figsfromthistle: Well surely it is time for a photo introduction to Sputnik Anita.

A woman in the café I frequent showed me a photo of her new adorable Bengal kitten this morning.

>176 witchyrichy: Oh interesting. I will have to try to grow some next season. You are quite lucky to have a greenhouse! Lots of great projects ahead for you :)

>177 Caroline_McElwee: I will try to get one tomorrow. So far she won't start long enough to take one. Quite an active kitty.

Wordle 380 5/6

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74. Genevieve Graham: Bluebird

Genre: Historical fiction/light romance

Adele is a young nurse who decides to volunteer overseas during WW1. Here, she falls for a patient ( Jerry) who sustained severe injuries while he was tunnelling. It turns out that they hail from the same area in Canada and agree to find each other after the war. Three years later, Adele is dating a mean rumrunner and discovers that Jerry is in the business of making and selling whisky as well. Prohibition is a time of danger and great opportunities. Just who's side will Adele be on?

3.3/5

75. V. E. Schwab: A Conjuring of Light

The last book in the series has Kell, Lila, Rye, Alucard and Holland scrambling to find a way to defeat a powerful shadow magic named Osaron.

I enjoyed the read. The market they attend sounds so interesting and I really enjoyed that part of the story. I just wish there would be another book. So much could be explored.

3.5/5

Stats For June

This month was slow going. At least I am beginning to make use of my library more :)

# of books read: 8
Male authors:4
Female:4
Longest book: 480
Shortest: 240
Average 355
Total pages:2844
Pages per day read: 91

Library books: 7
My own shelf: 1

>175 Donna828: Hi Donna! I missed you up there. Hope you had a wonderful July 4th holiday!

>181 figsfromthistle: Congratulations on reaching 75, Anita!

Adding my congratulations for 75 reads Anita.

>184 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita!

>185 Caroline_McElwee: thank you :)

Wordle 381 2/6

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Congrats, Anita on hitting our magic number. I hope you had a nice holiday and got plenty of reading in.

Congrats on hitting the goal!

>187 msf59: Thanks Mark!

>188 drneutron: Thanks :)

>181 figsfromthistle:

Yay!

>190 richardderus: Thanks Richard! It seems like it took forever to get there.

Congratulations on reaching 75!

>192 witchyrichy: Thanks!

Congratulations on 75 Anita!

>194 humouress: Thank you :)

Happy Wednesday!

I snagged two days off. Today I am going cherry picking. It's quite humid but cloudy so it should be a little more bearable. Yesterday for dinner I had elderflowers baked out/fried. Quite easy to do. You just put it in any batter you want ( crepe batter) and make sure its a little on the thin side. The key is to only lightly coat it. Quite delicious!

I also make a juice out of elderflowers. Jam I make out of the elderberries. I have three big bushes around my property so there is plenty around.

I finished making strawberry jam and have enough whole strawberries frozen for the winter. My raspberries are not quite ripe yet but are getting there. The red and black currants are beginning to ripen as well. My gooseberries are still quite green.

Wordle 382 4/6

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Congrats on reaching 75!

Congrats on 75, Anita!

Hi Anita my dear, Congrats on reaching 75 books read for the year so far.

>197 BLBera: >198 curioussquared: >199 johnsimpson: Thanks everyone :)

I tried elderflower cordial. Once. *shudder* I'm glad you enjoyed your fried ones...which sounds so weird to me.

*smooch*

>201 richardderus: It is not something that people are used to here. I can't imagine elderflower alcohol anything to taste good ( never tried it either)

The juice is nice though. You can make it like a lemonade with as much or little citrus as you like. You can make it into a really sweet syrup as well.

Congratulations on 75!

Have some fun days off!

>203 quondame: Thanks! Just two in total but I'll take it!

Wordle 383 4/6

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76. Alan Bradley: The Golden Tresses Of the Dead

Last book in this series so far. Flavia and Dogger start up their own detective company. It does not take long, and they are busy with two cases that are connected.

This one was ok. A little short and underwhelming for that it's the last one for a while in the series. I do hope that another will be written. I did miss the banter between the sisters but also enjoyed that Udine was beginning to come out of the shadows. Perhaps Flavia will take her under her wing?

A solid 3/5

>206 figsfromthistle: Oh well, he's not to be held responsible for diminishing powers when he's suffering from dementia.

Happy slide into the weekend!

>206 figsfromthistle: I enjoyed it, but, like you, not as much as prior books.

>207 richardderus: Oh, no! I hate to hear it.

>207 richardderus: I didn't know that he is suffering from dementia.

Happy Weekend, Richard.

>208 Storeetllr: Hi Mary!

Wordle 384 3/6

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>210 figsfromthistle: - Very nice! It took me 4.

Have a great weekend!!

Congratulations on reaching the magic 75, Anita - I wish you a wonderful weekend!

>210 figsfromthistle: what >211 katiekrug: said

*smooch*

>211 katiekrug: Hi Katie! Happy weekend wishes returned :)

>212 SirThomas: Thank you Thomas, much appreciated.

>213 richardderus: Happy weekend reads, Richard. *smooch*

Wordle 385 3/6

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My third guess was a long shot and a lucky one.

>215 figsfromthistle: It wasn't an obvious word to me so I took 5 tries to get there.

Happy Saturday!

Congratulations on hitting 75!

Congratulations Anita.

>216 richardderus: Hi Richard! Hope you had a terrific Saturday!

>217 alcottacre: >218 Caroline_McElwee: Thanks!

Wordle 386 4/6

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Happy Sunday, Anita. I enjoyed the first 3 Flavia books but felt that was enough. I am surprised it is still continuing.

>220 figsfromthistle: It was a 3 day for me, and very satisfying it was.

Happy Sunday!

>221 msf59: Hi Mark! I think this was the last one. Although he did not say so but he did state that he is taking a break from this series.

Hope you had a great weekend!

>222 richardderus: Rub it in, rub it in ;)

Wordle 387 4/6

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>224 figsfromthistle: We're twins today...4.

>225 richardderus: Yay! I almost thought it was going to be a complete miss today since my first two guesses had no correct letters.

Happy Monday!

77. Marie Benedict: Her Hidden Genius

This is a story about Rosalind Franklin and her triumphs and struggles within academia. Her main area of focus was finding ways x-ray crystallography could aid in finding the structure of DNA. Her tireless dedication and phenomenal findings were stolen and claimed by her colleagues who were awarded the Nobel prize.

I have read two other novels by Benedict. They are always delightful to read.

3.5/5

>227 figsfromthistle: - This must be a new one by her as this is the first I see or hear of it. Many LTers are not crazy about this author but I enjoy her historical fictions, as well. I have read a few by her and liked them.

>196 figsfromthistle: I was thinking about adding gooseberries to our garden. I may be a bit too far south but am going to do some research. I love them and have a friend who uses them for scones.

>228 jessibud2: I did not know that she is not popular. It can be a little dramatic but so far I am enjoying what I read. It is a new one by her ( publish date 2022)

>229 witchyrichy: Gooseberries are quite easy to grow. The added benefit that you can easily cover them with a newt so that animals don't get to them before you do.

They do not mind sunlight ( mine get a good full days worth with late evening shade). Enjoy :)

>227 figsfromthistle: I bought that one a couple of weeks ago and hope to get to it soon. I do like Benedict's work.

>232 RebaRelishesReading: Hope you enjoy the read :)

Wordle 388 3/6

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On Saturday morning i decided it was time to pick some of the Red Gooseberries, we have two small bushes. The one furthest away from the house provided the most, the one near to the house had lots that still needed a few more days. On Saturday night i topped and tailed one Kilo of Gooseberries and on Sunday afternoon i did the remaining 700 grams. I have had a look today and i think with the current heatwave we are having, i will be picking more in a day or two, there looks to be about two Kilo's left to pick, not bad from just two small bushes.

>231 figsfromthistle: ...a newt...covering...I think autocorrect revised your post a wee bit there, Anita.

>234 johnsimpson: HI John! Wow! Quite a nice harvest you are getting. I am always amazed by how much they produce considering they take up very little space. Do you make jam out of them or freeze them?

>235 richardderus: Ha! I saw that but decided not to edit it ;) I should think that a newt covering would be an interesting and colourful sight....but I'll just go with a net covering instead. Autocorrect always has strange suggestions.

Congrats on hitting 75! Well done!
I'm having berry envy. I've never had a fresh elderberry, only elderberry flavored stuff, and it's very delicious. And you have raspberries and currants to look forward to later? Not fair!
I'm attempting to grow ground cherries. They're only two inches tall right now.

>236 figsfromthistle:, Hi Anita my dear, Karen has made Jam and Gooseberry and Apple crumble and we have frozen some and she has made a Gooseberry Bakewell Tart. We also made some Gooseberry Gin and then saved the boozy Gooseberries and made a crumble with them, the Red Gooseberry Jam is to die for as it is sweeter than standard Gooseberries, hope this is all useful to you my dear.

We've planted a gooseberry bush. If it ever bears berries I will make at least some of them into gooseberry fool -- OMG so good!

Hopelessly behind, but nice job hitting the magic 75 already!!

Just popping in to thank you for recommending Klara and the Sun.
It was a pleasure to read - and to think about it!

>237 mstrust: Thanks Jennifer! Ground cherries...like a bush? That's neat and something that I would love to plant. Do they have the same yield as a cherry tree and are the cherries smaller or the same size?

I think you should have no problems getting an elderflower bush. They take up a lot of space though and the shoots sprout everywhere. You can give it a vigorous cutting in the fall and it will grow back to it's size by summer.

>238 johnsimpson: Gooseberry gin is something I would have not thought of. that sounds really good! I make gooseberry jam/jelly and I freeze them. This year I may try preserving/canning them if I have enough left over.

>239 RebaRelishesReading: I am glad there are so many gooseberry fans here. My colleagues at work don;t even know what a gooseberry is ;)

>240 Berly: Thank you! Great to see you here

>241 SirThomas: Hi Thomas! Glad you enjoyed the recommendation :) I am quite a fan of Ishiguro.

-----------------

I finished playing wordle but the last two days it won't let me copy the result without creating some kind of account. Yesterday, I managed in three tries, today it took me 4.

>227 figsfromthistle: Adding that one to the BlackHole. Thanks for the recommendation, Anita!

Have a great day!

>242 figsfromthistle: I've only seen the mature ground cherry plant on a gardening show, where it was just a couple of feet high and produced fruit that looked a lot like a gooseberry, but the flavor was described as "butterscotch, vanilla and pineapple". Of course I had to buy the seeds.

>244 alcottacre: Hey! Hope you are having a great week so far!

>245 mstrust: Ooh! Sound delicious. I'll be eager to hear how you like the fruit when they start producing. Very cool

Happy Friday!

This was a close one. At least I found the share button ;)

Wordle 391 5/6

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>247 figsfromthistle: I'm in the same boat you're in, Wordle-wise.

>231 figsfromthistle: >236 figsfromthistle: Thanks for the advice. FWIW, I autocorrected newt to net myself ;-)

>248 richardderus: Ah well theres always tomorrow :)

>249 witchyrichy: Hope you are having a great weekend so far!

Happy Saturday!

Yesterday was a fun day. After work, I went out with a few work colleagues to an outdoor festival. I had a better time than I though I would. Lots of vendors and food. I bought a beautiful games board carved in wood.

The garden is coming along. I have already harvested beans twice and blanched and froze some for winter as well. The beets are really taking off now and it won't be long before I will can some as well. I also dug out some carrots to thin them out-quite delicious. Now is the time where everything seems to come at once.

I was invited to a wedding. I have never been to one. I am trying to worm myself out because I have nothing to wear ( at least what fits). I went to try a few things on in the store and feel like an giant balloon. Those few extra covid pounds don't seem a lot when I am in regular clothes but sure seem 10x worse in formal wear!

Wordle 392 5/6

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Happy Saturday, Anita. Glad you had a good time at the festival. Marie Benedict: Her Hidden Genius sounds interesting.

>251 figsfromthistle: I like covering something fitted with a pretty long vest or duster. But weddings are tricky - if the bride is someone you know you can be sure she'll remember whether you came or not.

>252 msf59: Hi Mark! It was an interesting/entertaining read

>253 quondame: Well it's a friend of mine/work colleague so I am guessing she will notice if I am not there.....*sigh* I will have to make my decision soon.

78. Emily St. John Mandel: Sea of Tranquility

I really don't feel like writing a synopsis ( I am exhausted!) There are quite a number of superbly written reviews about this one.

I did like the read and am still muddling it over in my head.

3.5/5

It's Sunday!

I can't wait for tomorrow because I have a day off!

Yesterday after work I picked some beans from the garden and watered the gardens after. It is extremely dry here. 94% less precipitation than normal. I am hoping it will rain tomorrow or today.

Wordle 393 4/6

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I was 4 today, too. The word certainly suited.

Sunday orisons.

Hi Anita.

>181 figsfromthistle: Congrats on reaching 75.

>255 figsfromthistle: I bought this one and it arrived two days ago. I just need to wear myself out reading romances in order to start reading other genres again.

>255 figsfromthistle: Yay for a day off. I hope you enjoy it.

Today was 5 for me.

Sea of Tranquility is a hard one to sum up, Anita. I also loved it.

>257 richardderus: Hi Richard!

>258 karenmarie: Thanks, Karen. I am hoping it will rain tomorrow. I cut the grass this afternoon just in case.

>259 RemiWhite: Wonder how spammers come up with their names....

>260 BLBera: Nice! I think it's a favourite of many here on LT.

Todays Wordle (no. 394) threw me a bit, I ended up getting in 5. Yesterday was a 3, which is pretty rare, but not unheard of for me. I still love that game :)

>262 LovingLit: It can be frustrating but I enjoy the game as well.

Happy Monday!

Wordle 394 4/6

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>255 figsfromthistle: Already in the BlackHole. I just need to find the time to read it!

I hope you enjoy your day off, Anita!

>264 figsfromthistle: Me too! Completely different path, but yep.

>265 alcottacre: It was a nice day off. It is quite humid so I decided to go shopping instead of doing yard work ;) I went out for ice cream with a friend and caught up.

I can't say that it's been a productive day but it was good to decompress a bit.

>266 richardderus: Hi Richard! I seem to be stuck with 4 tries lately...my average used to be three.

Sounds like a perfect day off. : ) Good luck finding the wedding outfit. My daughter is getting hitched this September and I really need to go find my dress. I don't like shopping...

>268 Berly: Seems like you and I are the same in that regard. I have never been a big shopper ( even as a teenager). Good luck with your outfit hunting!

A September wedding sounds quite nice.

>267 figsfromthistle: I had a 'decompressing' day last week and it did me a world of good! I hope yours does the same for you.

Wordle 395 4/6

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>270 alcottacre: As far as I can tell so far, It was quite helpful.

>271 figsfromthistle: Good!

>273 alcottacre: :)

>271 figsfromthistle: *I* got it in 3 today. Nyah!

>275 richardderus: Ha! Good job, Richard :)